Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [218]
Jackson Lake Lodge
P.O. Box 240, Moran, WY 83013. ☎ 800/628-9988 or 307/543-3100. www.gtlc.com. 385 units. $141–$249 double; $425–$575 suite. MC, V. Closed mid-Oct to mid-May.
Much the way Old Faithful Inn and the Lake Hotel capture historic eras of Yellowstone tourism, Jackson Lake Lodge epitomizes the architectural milieu of the period when Grand Teton became a park. That era was the 1950s, a time of right angles, flat roofs, and big windows. While not as distinctive, the lodge is more functional and comfortable than its northern counterparts. The setting is sublime, overlooking Willow Flats with the lake in the distance. Towering over it, without a stick in the way, are the Grand Teton and Mount Moran. You don't even have to go outside to see this impressive view—the lobby has 60-foot-tall windows. Add to that a good restaurant, comfortable rooms, and easy access from Jackson, only 35 miles away. Guest rooms are in the three-story main lodge and in cottages scattered about the property, some of which have large balconies and mountain views. Lodge rooms are spacious and cheery, and most offer double beds and tiled bathrooms. A large outdoor swimming pool, a cocktail lounge, and full-course dining are located in the Mural Room (see "Where to Dine," below), and lighter fare is at the Pioneer Grill.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN AREA
Signal Mountain Lodge
P.O. Box 50, Moran, WY 83013. ☎ 307/543-2831. www.signalmountainlodge.com. 79 units. TEL. $99–$255 double. AE, DISC, MC, V. Closed late Oct to early May.
Signal Mountain has a different feel, and different owners, from the other lodgings in Grand Teton. What they all have in common is the Teton view, and this lodge, right on the banks of Jackson Lake, may have the best. For one, it has lakefront retreats that you can really inhabit, with stoves, refrigerators, and foldout sofa beds for the kids. Other accommodations, mostly free-standing cabins, come in a variety of flavors, from motel-style rooms in four-unit buildings set amid trees to family bungalows with decks, some of which enjoy beach frontage. The carpeted cabins feature handmade pine furniture, electric heat, covered porches, and tiled bathrooms; some have fireplaces.
The registration building has a small TV viewing area, a gift shop, and outdoor seating on a deck overlooking the lake. A restaurant (the Peaks, reviewed under "Where to Dine," below) and coffee shop that serve average food share a separate building with a small lounge and gift shop. Recreational options include cycling, rafting, water-skiing, and fishing, but note that boat rentals are expensive here. A convenience store and gas station are on the property.
JENNY LAKE AREA
Jenny Lake Lodge
Box 240, Moran, WY 83013. ☎ 800/628-9988 or 307/543-3300. www.gtlc.com. 37 units. $475 double; $635–$680 suite. Rates include breakfast, dinner, and activities. AE, MC, V. Closed mid-Oct to May.
Though it's just 20 miles from Jackson Airport, this small resort prides itself on its seclusion and tranquillity. It also has an award-winning restaurant. The lodge is a hybrid of mountain lake resort and dude ranch, with activities such as horseback riding and bicycling. Accommodations are in rustic, pitched-roof log cabins fronted by a long, pillared porch. The cabins, each named for a resident flower, are rustic on the outside and luxurious within—decorated with bright braided rugs, dark wood floors, beamed ceilings, cushy plaid